There’s been a whole lot of debate surrounding Japanese game culture lately. And reasonably so; as the entertainment industry has taken it too far with the new game “RapeLay.” Without elaborating, the motive of this crap rape game is to rape random female avatars, as well as their family members in discreet spots as well as in public. How’s that for stunting healthy sexual growth in young people?

But when this issue was addressed to the online community, many people spoke up and said they supported the game because Japan has a long history of pornographic expression:

These games are protected by the freedom of speech as long as they are marketed towards adults. These games can be considered an art form, and depictions of rape are protected as forms of artistic expression.

-Anonymous Commenter

Actively “raping” a female avatar, though it is a “game” is not a “depiction of rape” it is an actual act of rape. Neither the rape, nor the avatars are real, but the gamer certainly is, and the desire for violence is certainly real as well.

Another issue that lies within RapeLay is that of the experience of rape. Since when should the experience of personal trauma lie within the public domain? Why are women specifically targeted? I may not be Japanese, but I, as a woman, feel violated by this game. And when did rape become entertainment? Or art?

I support the sex industry. I support Japan’s long history of pornographic expression. But I cannot stand behind an industry that exploits trauma and is specifically targeted towards violently and emotionally violating women.